Wednesday, November 30, 2011

How to Decorate Your Christmas Tree: Part 5

Here is my "finished" tree. I am not having a good light year apparently, though, because this morning, half a strand of lights decided to go out. It bothers me greatly, and I'm tempted to somehow fix it, but that would involve undecorating and redecorating, so I guess I will just live with it.

I was realizing today that I probably should have titled this little series "How to Decorate MY Christmas Tree." Because I know that there are millions of ways to do it, and I certainly don't think everyone should do it my way. It's just how I do it, and what works for me. Apparently, I like my Christmas trees the same way I like my life: Overstuffed. You might be way more minimalistic where your tree is concerned, and that's totally cool because it's your tree. At the very least, I hope that if you read this little series I was able to help you have some ideas and vision for your own tree.

Okay, so now that the ribbon is on, we just have a few little finishing touches to deal with. The first is adding the twirly twiggy thingies (if anybody out there knows a more precise name for these, I'd love to know it!).

These things are twirly twigs. You can get them just about anywhere that has a floral decorating department. I've purchased them at the Dollar Store, WalMart and various craft stores. They're never very expensive and I think they are a perfect finishing touch for a tree. You might also try some that have berry sprays or feathers. There are tons of fun things like this to choose from.

I just take groups of 2 or 3 of the twirly twigs and stick them down into the branches, leaving plenty to stick out from the tree.

After those are all in, it's time for the most important finishing touch--the topper. You can use something specially made to be a tree topper (I have an angel), or you could just do a big bow or something. Whatever you like.

This year it was Chloe's turn to help put the angel in her place of honor.

Once the angel is placed, I make sure to tuck all the ribbon under her and then put the golden feathers around her.

And with that, the tree decorating is FINITO!

Here's a picture of the finished tree without lights, since it is easier to see how things are placed.

Again, I like to see lots of stuff and very little tree. You might be the opposite--the important thing is that you really love it.

But hold on, because we're not finished yet! We need a tree skirt! And guess what? I don't even have one. I use a round tablecloth that is kind of goldish in color because all of the tree skirts I like are way too expensive.

I keep thinking that maybe I'll get around to making one, but so far that hasn't happened. I really like this one, and if I get around to it this is what I'll make. Isn't it pretty?

But anyway, don't feel like you have to spend hundreds of dollars (and I wish that weren't an exaggeration) on a tree skirt. Just use something you like to cover up the tree stand. Fabric remnants and tablecloths work really well.

Now all you need to do is sit back and enjoy your masterpiece. Get some hot cocoa, turn on the Christmas tunes and turn off the lights and bask in the glow of the season. That's why we have these Christmas trees anyway.

Lara Neves

Lara is mom to three daughters—two teens and a tween. She loves to share her parenting and homemaking triumphs and failures here at Overstuffed! She was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2015 and has been fighting it ever since. When she isn't working on her mother of the year award, you can find her reading, singing, or taking photos.

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12 comments:

I have loved this series. I am going to hit the after-Christmas sales to get what I need to copy some of your techniques next year. Your tree is gorgeous. (Mine seemed rather bare this year for some reason and you just reminded me that I forgot to add a garland. Off to pop some popcorn for the garland!)

Beautiful! Those twirly twigs are actually called Ting-Tings, they are from the Philippine or Tagalog word for the stem of a palm/young coconut tree after you strip off the leaf sections of a frond. We use those twigs to make our "Ting-Ting" brooms for outdoor sweeping. The curling happens in the steaming process. The stems are normally only slightly bent after it dries.

Holy cow, your tree is gorgeous! I love all the thought that goes into every detail, and how you've brought everything together into one beautiful whole. We're getting our tree next Sunday, and I can't wait to sit back and enjoy that glow you're talking about. Sigh. Christmas is the best!

Though my tree is not nearly as ornate as yours, I have to admit, I used many of your tips from your tutorials and I believe I produced the best tree I have ever done. I just love staring at it! And trying to keep Jonah away from it.